Xref: utzoo news.misc:1954 soc.culture.jewish:8148
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!ihlpm!ihlpa!davidm
From: davidm@ihlpa.ATT.COM (Makowsky)
Newsgroups: news.misc,soc.culture.jewish
Subject: Re: RACIST JOKES
Summary: censorship
Message-ID: <10551@ihlpa.ATT.COM>
Date: 20 Nov 88 14:47:53 GMT
References: <8030@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU> <1058@osupyr.mast.ohio-state.edu> <347@sulaco.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories - Naperville, Illinois
Lines: 50

In article <347@sulaco.UUCP>, allen@sulaco.UUCP (Allen Gwinn) writes:

> In article <1076@osupyr.mast.ohio-state.edu> nmg@osupyr.mast.ohio-state.edu.UUCP (Nancy M Gould) writes:

>   [...concerning the subject of racist humor in rec.humor.funny...]

> >I don't think that free speech is the issue here.  I do not question
> >Brad Templeton's legal right to post any thing he likes to.   The
> >real issue here is that of COMMON POLITENESS.

> Yes... but why should we censor someone just because he or she decides
> to post something that *some* people believe is impolite?  For that 
> matter, why should we censor something just because *all* people feel
> that it is impolite?

The fact of the matter is that the presence of a moderator IMPLIES
censorship.  Isn't that what he is there for in the first place?

If the author of the "joke" felt he was being wrongly censored, he
could always post to rec.humor (not that it would be any less
offensive).

If you do not like censorship, complain about the whole idea of
having a moderator.  In the meantime, as long as there is a
moderator, "jokes" that are offensive in the slightest bit should
not be given the light of day by the moderator.

> >In summary, this is not an issue of the legal right of freedom of
> >speech (nobody is on trial here)al here)--it is just as issue of COMMON
> >POLITENESS AND CONSIDERATION.

> Then what's the big deal about Brad Templeton posting humor that
> others may or may not find offensive?

Because it implies his approval.  Remeber (as I wrote above), there
is another outlet for the author.
 
> >For the last time, it is not okay to engage in any kind of humor that
> >comes at the expense of another person's feelings--regardless of which
> >catagory they represent!
 
> Ok... if its NOT OKAY, then what do you feel should be done about people
> who persist in posting racist humor?  Do you feel it is OK for JEDR to
> threaten to contact Brad's employer?
 Two wrongs do not make a right, or so I was always taught.
-- 
David Makowsky  (312) 979 - 6211
UUCP: att!ihlpa!davidm  ARPANET/INTERNET: davidm@ihlpa.ATT.COM
BITNET, try: davidm%ihlpa@att.arpa   or  davidm%ihlpa@research.att.com
Disclaimer: These opinions are mine alone.  Sharing requires written permission!